The Equator and Witchdoctors

This morning, the commander in chief of this African excursion decided we needed a few hours break. Amen, Oliver! Just before 9:00, we set off for the imaginary line dividing the northern and southern hemisphere, the Equator! Some things I didn't know, you are 3 lbs lighter on the Equator because you are spinning faster at this point than any other on earth. Stepping over this line, you can witness toilets flushing and water draining in the opposite direction (counterclockwise), integral information to your existence, I know. Wait, there's more! (care of the BBC):

• The region around the equator is the area with the world's greatest concentration of human poverty and natural biodiversity.
• Almost half the world's rainforests are concentrated on the equator in just three countries: Brazil, Congo and Indonesia.
• The Sun - in its seasonal movement - traverses directly over the equator twice each year, on the spring and vernal equinoxes.
• Locations along the equator experience the fastest rates of sunrise and sunset on the planet. The transition from day to night takes only minutes.
• The lengths of day/night time vary very little, while more northerly and southerly locations can vary enormously. Season-long days and nights are a feature of life at the poles.

I have a picture to prove it of course, Leslie-San. For those of you unaware, the Japanese photographic phenomenon originates with the widely held belief that in order to demonstrate one has traveled to a certain location, one requires photographic proof. My friend Leslie is not actually Japanese, though she is so akin to this custom that it may as well be true.

On our return journey, I stopped to pick-up a handmade mobile with little African animals in local textiles and weaving for my sis, Alethia who will deliver her first child, a girl (!) in June. A morbid transition, however, this purchase got me chatting to our driver, Herbert about his children. Apparently, there is a growing problem in Uganda surrounding the abduction of children aged 8-14 for sacrifice in local witch doctor conjures against evil at new home sites. The concept is that if you sacrifice innocence for your new homestead under construction (not an old house, you're already stuck with those spirits), then you are protected. This morbid practice has led to weekly abductions and murder here. This is not the first I have heard of witch doctors pervasive powers over local pysche, but certainly one of the worst. I only hope it is controled soon, as this was heartbreaking to hear.

'Til next time,
Hilaria